Visual Storytelling Techniques

Robert McKee may be the most interesting Storyteller alive. He taught screenwriting to: • Julia Roberts • Russell Brand • Peter Jackson And re-designed the marketing of: • HP • Nike • Microsoft To be centered around story. So I spent hours devouring his books and classes. They're wonderful. The most interesting framework I learned from him is the 'Purpose-Told Story.' In it, McKee lays out 8 stages for a great story. Here they are: 1. The 3 Targets Before considering your story, you must understand your: • Target audience – who you’re talking to • Target need – what problem they have your product solves • Target action – what you want them to do Without defining those three, you’re guessing. 2. Subject Matter The constraints and subjects that make up your story. McKee breaks it into 3 components: • Core value – the value your brand couldn’t exist without • Protagonist – the Hero your audience empathizes with • Setting – society, time, and place 3. The Inciting Incident Launch the story by throwing the protagonist’s life out of whack. McKee says, “fine storytellers seek out the negative side of life.” Your goal is two-fold: • Grab your audience’s attention • Propel the protagonist to action 4. The Object of Desire What does the protagonist feel they need to get their life back on track? McKee says the most compelling objects come with the highest price tags. 5. First Action The tactical choice the protagonist makes to re-balance their life. This cannot succeed. That’d be too easy. Introduce antagonists – anything keeping the protagonist from the Object of Desire. 6. The First Reaction The reaction to the First Action should be different or more powerful than expected. That gap in expectation vs. reality leaves space for the protagonist to gain insight. Two key aspects: • Turning points • Violation of expectations 7. Crisis Choice The moment of truth – the protagonist must take their earned insight and make a decision. It’s now or never. This final action must be more risky than the first. Raising stakes and all that. The protagonist will either re-balance their life or remain in chaos. 8. Climactic Reaction The protagonist gets their life back on track. Neuroscientists find the brain’s response to a good story’s climax is a few seconds of heightened memory. *** The brilliant part of McKee’s process? It’s built outside in. He starts with the end – your audience, their problem, and the desired action. Then he figures out the beginning – the event to trigger the entire story. From there, you build the narrative arc to connect beginning and end. He says, "Purpose-told stories do far more than entertain. They trigger an action in the listener: a purchase, an investment, a job well done. A purpose-told story needs talent, imagination and time to conceive, create and hone to its audience." - - - I hope you enjoyed that! If so, follow me Nathan Baugh for more on storytelling and publishing.

In my data storytelling workshops, I often say color is one of the most powerful tools in your visual storytelling toolbox. Here are five key ways color can enhance your data stories: 1️⃣ 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 In explanatory settings, color is one of the most effective ways to focus your audience’s attention on key data points. Without control over colors, your ability to emphasize your key takeaways is limited. 2️⃣ 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 Audiences follow your story more easily when categories are consistently colored across visuals. If Team A is orange, keep them orange in every chart. Be careful because some tools auto-assign colors by value size, which can confuse your story if the same category switches colors. 3️⃣ 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 When positive and negative values matter, color can quickly clarify which is which. For accessibility, a red–blue scheme often works better than red–green. 4️⃣ 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 In charts like heatmaps, color encodes values, not categories. Differences in color reveal anomalies or patterns. Sometimes, gradients are used redundantly (e.g., shaded bars) to emphasize differences even further. 5️⃣ 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐲 Color can help group related elements or signal importance. For example, one palette might frame customer metrics while another frames financial metrics, or darker shades can emphasize higher-priority data points. Used well, colors can help organize complex information into a clearer story. As you use color in your data stories, it's essential to be mindful of audience members with color vision deficiencies. If you want to dig deeper into using color effectively, I recommend Kate Strachnyi’s book Colorwise. When has color made the biggest difference in your data stories? 🔽 🔽 🔽 🔽 🔽 Craving more of my data storytelling, analytics, AI, and data culture content? Sign up for my newsletter today: https://lnkd.in/gRNMYJQ7 Check out my comprehensive data storytelling masterclass: https://lnkd.in/gy5Mr5ky Need a virtual or onsite data storytelling workshop? Let's talk. https://lnkd.in/gNpR9g_K

"Gopal, we have watched all of your podcasts. But most importantly, we love the story you share at the start of each episode!" said two colleagues who called me for advice. It got me thinking about the power of storytelling in our personal and professional lives. From childhood, stories have been a constant in our lives. I remember my grandmother telling me tales to coax me into eating my meals. Today, the medium has changed—stories are shared over dining tables, through podcasts, and on mobile devices—but the essence remains the same. 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 For me, Career Shifts is all about stories—stories that inspire, stories that make you reflect, stories that spark change. One might ask, is storytelling an 𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝒂 𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕? Perhaps it's a bit of all three. Crafting a compelling story involves understanding its key elements: 👉🏻 Plot: The backbone of any story. It's the sequence of events that takes your audience on a journey. 👉🏻 Characters: The individuals who breathe life into your story. They could be the heroes, mentors, or even antagonists. 👉🏻 Setting: The time and place where your story unfolds. It provides context and atmosphere. 👉🏻 Conflict: The challenges or obstacles that characters face. The driving force that keeps the audience hooked. 👉🏻 Theme: The underlying message or moral of the story. This is what leaves a lasting impression on your audience. 👉🏻 Point of View: The perspective from which the story is told. It shapes how the audience experiences the narrative. 👉🏻 Tone: The mood or feeling of the story. It can be light-hearted, serious, suspenseful, etc. 👉🏻 Dialogue: The conversations between characters. It reveals their personalities and advances the plot. 👉🏻 Narrative Style: The unique voice and style of the storyteller. It makes the story distinct and memorable. 👉🏻 Structure: How the story is organized. This could be linear, with flashbacks, or any other creative format. In the age of AI, storytelling is one of the most critical leadership skills. The ability to tell stories that inspire is essential. Whether you're leading a team or mentoring a colleague, a well-told story can motivate, teach, and build connections. It’s about making your message resonate on a deeper level. 𝐈𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝? Not really. The secret lies in understanding and weaving together the elements of a story. Just like a well-prepared meal, it requires the right ingredients, timing, and a touch of creativity. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Everyone has a story worth sharing. Next time you want to make an impact, remember the elements of a great story. Whether you're speaking to a large audience or having a one-on-one conversation, your story has the power to inspire, influence, and transform. Happy storytelling! #Leadership #Storytelling #CareerShifts #Inspiration #PersonalGrowth #HRCommunity

Florida Man is a new type of AI film and I'll tell you why Could this be the future of cinematic storytelling?! , "Florida Man," an AI-generated film, my latest AI film project is based on novel approach to filmmaking - artificial intelligence can transform real-life data into compelling visual narratives. The concept of "Florida Man" is rooted in a well-known internet phenomenon: the bizarre news stories that surface when one searches for "Florida Man" followed by a date. These stories, often strange and bewildering, have become a cultural trope. The film takes a year's worth of these headlines and weaves them into a cohesive storyline, using AI to convert these real-world anecdotes into a structured film narrative. This innovative approach does not simply rely on the randomness of AI generation; it grounds the creativity in actual events, thus presenting a blend of fact and fiction. While the visual effects of "Florida Man" may not yet match the sophistication of high-budget closed AI like "Sora," the potential of the technology is unmistakable. The use of generative AI in this manner underscores a significant shift in storytelling. It demonstrates how AI can be harnessed to create narratives that are not only imaginative but also fundamentally anchored in truth. This methodology could pave the way for future filmmakers, offering new tools and techniques to tell stories in ways previously unimagined - all data becomes storytelling. As AI film creation technology rapidly evolves, the implications for the creative industry are profound. The capacity to turn data into engaging content opens up myriad possibilities, from personalised content to entirely new genres of film. "Florida Man" serves as a proof of concept to the innovative potential of AI in the arts. It invites audiences and creators alike to reconsider the boundaries of storytelling and to anticipate a future where the lines between reality and fiction are increasingly blurred.

🎬 “It looked fine. But it didn’t feel right.” That’s what a director told us after watching the raw cut. Everything was shot well. Framing, acting, pacing—it was all there. But the emotion? Missing. That’s when we went back to the color grade. 👉 The scene was a breakup—shot on a beach at sunset. The original colors? Warm, golden, serene. But heartbreak doesn’t feel like golden hour. So we shifted the tone: 🎨 Muted the oranges. 🎨 Pulled down saturation. 🎨 Added a cold blue overlay. 🎨 Gave it a slightly overcast, drained feeling. Suddenly, it felt right. → The pain landed harder. → The silence in the shot felt heavier. → The actors didn’t change—but the story did. 📌 That’s the power of color grading. It’s not just polish. It’s not a filter. It’s emotion. It’s psychology. It’s story. In post-production, colour is a language. And if you speak it right, your audience doesn’t even notice—they just feel. 🎥 Whether it’s a corporate film, a web series, or a 30-second ad— If your video isn’t feeling like it should… Check the grade. Because a great story, badly colored— Is like a great song, off-key. 💬 What’s a scene that hit you emotionally, just because of how it looked? #postproduction #colorgrading #films #visualstorytelling #cinematography #videoediting #branding

I used to think colorful charts helped display information. Now I know they do exactly the opposite. When it comes to data visualization, color *is* crucial. But not in the way you’ve likely been taught. The general rule of thumb is that you should use color sparingly and strategically. In other words, never use color for the sake of being color*ful*. Here’s how: First, identify your core colors (I recommend 1-2 max): Option 1 ↳ Use your company’s (or client’s) brand colors. This is often the easiest and best choice. (But remember, you don’t have to use *all* the brand colors.) Option 2 ↳ Use an online color palette (check out the resources linked in the comments to get started). I’ve also searched Pinterest for things like “blue and green color palettes.” Second, follow best practices: Use grey as your default.  ↳ Create all your charts in greyscale first. Then, incorporate color to draw your audience’s eyes to the most important takeaways or data points. Use 1-2 core colors throughout your presentation.  ↳ Use your core colors to highlight the specific trends, categories, or insights you want your audience to pay attention to. Be aware of cultural associations.  ↳ Color symbolism varies across the globe - for example, red often carries a negative connotation in Western cultures, but represents luck and prosperity in Eastern/Asian cultures. Be mindful of color blindness.  ↳ Approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women are colorblind (red-green being the most common). In general, less is more. Imagine someone were to look at your chart and say “Why is THAT particular bar blue? Why is THAT one green?” If you can’t give a clear answer, it's time to go back to the drawing board. —-— 👋🏼 I’m Morgan. I share my favorite data viz and data storytelling tips to help other analysts (and academics) better communicate their work.

Small color palettes can have a BIG impact. But how do you build one? As a younger designer, color used to completely overwhelm me. I’d scroll endlessly through swatches, trying to find the perfect combo, only to end up with a rainbow mess or a bunch of colors that just didn’t sit right together. What helped me finally get the hang of it? Limiting my palette. Giving myself fewer options ironically gave me more freedom to focus on balance, contrast, and cohesion. Now, most of my palettes use just a handful of colors—and they feel stronger and more intentional because of it. Here are some tricks I use to build small but mighty palettes: 1. Use a color harmony rule Start with something simple like analogous (colors next to each other on the wheel) for harmony or complementary (opposite colors) for contrast and energy. 2. Vary hue, value and saturation A limited palette doesn’t mean everything should look the same—play with lightness/darkness (value) and intensity (saturation) to keep it interesting. 3. Choose one “hero” color Let one color lead, and support it with tints, shades, or muted neighbors. This keeps your palette feeling cohesive without being flat. 4. Test in grayscale If everything looks the same when converted to black and white, you probably need more contrast. This is a great trick for making sure your design still works visually without color. 5. Consider color psychology What mood are you aiming for? Colors carry emotional weight (think calm blues, energetic reds, or fresh greens), and your palette should reflect your message. Color doesn’t have to be intimidating. Start small, stay intentional, and you’ll be surprised how far a few well-chosen colors can take you!

How to Achieve Cinematic Lighting Like This Scene: To reach this level of cinematic lighting, you need to think in terms of mood, direction, and color contrast — just like in film lighting. Start by defining the primary mood. Here, the blue ambient light sets a cold, tense tone, which is then broken with warm accents (like the red alarm light) to create contrast and storytelling tension. Use directional lighting from above or the side to shape the space. Overhead fluorescent-style lights here create strong shadows and highlight surface details without overexposing. Volumetric fog adds cinematic depth. It catches the light and gives that hazy, layered atmosphere often seen in film — making the scene feel bigger and more immersive. Stick to a limited color palette: this scene stays within a blue–amber spectrum, which is a classic film look because it balances cool environment tones with emotional warmth. Finally, let the darkness do some of the storytelling. Notice how not everything is fully lit — this creates mystery and lets the viewer focus where it matters. This kind of lighting isn’t about adding more lights — it’s about using fewer lights smartly, with purpose and control.

If you have a story, you need scenes and lots of them. But with so many scenes, how do you make them memorable? Here are a few of my thoughts: 1. Purpose: Ask yourself, "What does this scene add to the journey? Does it challenge the hero, create/reveal conflict, or deepen relationships?" A great scene moves the story forward AND reveals something deeper about the characters. 2. Add Tension: Tension creates attention, leaving people wondering what will happen next. Even quiet moments can have tension. A glance or a ticking clock can carry as much weight as a massive battle. 3. Emotion: The most powerful scenes aren't the ones with dialogue explaining everything—they're the moments that make us feel. For example, think of William Wallace shouting “Freedom!” in his final moments. The stakes were clear without the need for explanation. 4. Setups and Payoffs: Plant seeds in scenes. A detail, a line of dialogue, or action might start small, but they could come back later in the story with some extra oomph. 5. Show Don't Tell: Film is a visual medium, so show as much as you can without telling it. A character’s posture, the lighting, or even the way the camera moves are all subtle ways of showing something. Scenes connect the characters and the audience to the story. If you craft one with purpose, tension, and emotion, it becomes a moment that is much more impactful for your viewers. #Film #Scenes #Craft #RandallWallace